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Asia
Despite local contestation, this wave of transformation seems inevitable; therefore, leaving people to resort to a survivalist mode — or what I like to call a “hustle hard” mentality. You kind of have no choice given the disproportionate high cost of living for a very impoverished population in comparison to other Southeast Asian countries. Despite the growing pains, I think this country is dope af and hope y’all do too after reading this blog post...
From chaotic traffic to browbeating negotiations, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam serves as a whirlwind of hustle and bustle. The city leaves no room for indecisiveness, and I have developed a strong appreciation for the blurred lines faintly scribbled between work and life. Much of that appreciation stems from a reflective perspective. My life is evolving into an ambiguous blob of activities consisting of work, social gatherings, adventure, and personal space. As a result, I realize that rigid schedules that compartmentalize different aspects of my life are no longer welcomed. In fact, a routine lifestyle can’t even get a knock at the door let alone a seat at the table. Yet, experiencing those ‘normal’ day-to-day events, both the good and the bad, is what I have grown to admire most. And thus, my experience in HCMC so far begins...
First off, I’d like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support and encouraging words after my previous post Strawberry Jelly, No More Grape, and to the individual who offered to ship me some grape jelly…you the real MVP shawty. However, shoutout to the homie A-A-Ron for actually getting me that purple stuff on my birthday. One skip, one hop, a $10 upgrade to first class, and a few celebrity pregnancies later; boom, young Baba is in Bali, Indonesia...
Currently, the company that I work for, Rokk3r Labs, has sent me on an entrepreneurial pilgrimage for 1 year around the world in partnership with Remote Year. Every month, I’ll be in a different country hearing entrepreneurs’ stories, understanding what investors are looking for, and working to connect what we call the global collective genius. Yes it’s a dope ass job, so give it up one time for Remote Year and two times for the Rokk3r fam. First stop, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
As I sat in the United Nations’ regional headquarters in Bangkok during the Global Peace Youth Exchange (GPYE) Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), I began to reflect on some of the problems in my home country that demand immediate attention. Miami Beach, a slice of paradise and palm trees drizzled amidst the backdrop of a city built on travel, tourism, and real estate. However, despite the sunshine and great weather, whispers cast a shadow of a dark future for the city. Property values are projected to fall as sea levels rise over the next few years. Within this century alone, the city of Miami Beach is forecasted to be completely underwater. What does this mean for residents like myself? What does this mean for the economy of Miami...
